Greens have totally recovered from the recent aeriation and have nice pace, receptive and roll true. Fairways are as nice as I have seen for some time as are the tee boxes. Rough is still inconsistent... Continue »

Greens have totally recovered from the recent aeriation and have nice pace, receptive and roll true. Fairways are as nice as I have seen for some time as are the tee boxes. Rough is still inconsistent but improved. They have changed the maintenance pattern in the mornings, and it greatly affects the early morning play, and not positively, but since it benefits the overall course condition and playability, it's just something I'm just going to have to deal with.

Early morning start under overcast conditions. Just reopened after aerification of the greens. While predictably slow, the greens rolled reasonably smooth and well. Better than expected. I suspect the... Continue »

Early morning start under overcast conditions. Just reopened after aerification of the greens. While predictably slow, the greens rolled reasonably smooth and well. Better than expected. I suspect the healing time will be fairly short. Fairways for the most part have good coverage, tee boxes are fine, as are the bunkers. I think with some warmer temperatures, the course may be ready to return to more "country club" condition.

Played South on Friday. Ditto on Weber's comments. Fairways and greens are finally perfect, almost like what you would find in the desert. However, that generally means that maintenance is just around... Continue »

Played South on Friday. Ditto on Weber's comments. Fairways and greens are finally perfect, almost like what you would find in the desert. However, that generally means that maintenance is just around the corner. Five months to get it perfect for one winter month of great play, then back to normal reality. Collars around greens are very inconsistent as it's like playing on broccoli. No way to putt as balls bounce around like a pachinko machine. Dormant rough barely hides the hardpan underneath. Tee boxes are fine, sand traps are inconsistently raked, 1/2 in some spots, 3" in others. Part of the issue is bunker design where ball should roll to the bottom but often rolls further back into a downhill lie. POP was 4 hours. CPO still on a few holes for some reason. Would never have known we received 5" of rain a few weeks ago due to firmness of course.

Out early on a mild morning. Not too busy, except for a lot of maintenance to deal with, which I guess is a good thing? The greens will be punched in a couple weeks, so trying to take advantage of the... Continue »

Out early on a mild morning. Not too busy, except for a lot of maintenance to deal with, which I guess is a good thing? The greens will be punched in a couple weeks, so trying to take advantage of the good greens now. Just learned we will be losing our director of agronomy. I have mixed emotions about that, because "the devil you know". I spoke with some of the maintenance staff and all agree there is room to improve, so I will be optimistic about the future. However, right now the course is in pretty decent condition, the best it has been in some time.

First as always on a very cold morning. 38 degrees but no frost because of the recent rains. However, it's tough to get loose in those conditions and the ball travels nowhere. Lots of maintenance to c... Continue »

First as always on a very cold morning. 38 degrees but no frost because of the recent rains. However, it's tough to get loose in those conditions and the ball travels nowhere. Lots of maintenance to contend with this morning. Mowers cutting fairways, greens, tee boxes and surrounds, plus spraying. Course handled the rains well, no casual water in fairways or bunkers. Decent pace on the greens considering the conditions. Tough playing conditions, but still nice to be able to play.

Play with my buddies on beautiful morning with 10-15 mph winds. Overseeded fairways are beautiful that enables us to play the ball down as that had been an issue last month. Greens are firm and fast,... Continue »

Play with my buddies on beautiful morning with 10-15 mph winds. Overseeded fairways are beautiful that enables us to play the ball down as that had been an issue last month. Greens are firm and fast, but you need to control your spin due to some false fronts. Too many unrepaired ball marks as some members are lazy and don't like to bend over much or walk three extra steps to their mark. Bunkers have new sand, almost too much at this point but I expect maintenance to spread it around more evenly during the next few weeks. Lucky if members rake bunkers properly. They almost expect someone to magically appear and do it for them. Tee boxes are level are green. The par 3 boxes have lots of divots in certain areas mainly due to not moving them more frequently. Rough is very knarly, dormant bermuda grass that makes it near impossible to get clean contact. The fairway lines on #6 and #9 have been shifted up near the green which helps out sightlines.

First out on a somewhat foggy morning, which was great because it meant no frost delay. Very busy so getting out early really important for pace of play. Greens rolled well and had decent pace. Fairwa... Continue »

First out on a somewhat foggy morning, which was great because it meant no frost delay. Very busy so getting out early really important for pace of play. Greens rolled well and had decent pace. Fairways have good coverage for the most part and the new sand they are putting in the greenside bunkers is much appreciated. Still a mystery why holes #7 and #11 are cart path only? Otherwise, course is in decent shape and being able to play golf on December 28th for someone who grew up in Chicago is wonderful.

To my surprise and delight, no frost delays this morning. Frost delays have been the norm during the past few days. Cold to start but warmed up nicely. South course conditions are far superior to thos... Continue »

To my surprise and delight, no frost delays this morning. Frost delays have been the norm during the past few days. Cold to start but warmed up nicely. South course conditions are far superior to those on the North. Fairways for the most part have good coverage, with still a few areas which need attention. Cart path only still on holes 2,7,11 & 13. Doesn't seem like they intend to ever allow these restrictions to end? Greens rolled well and were receptive. Decent speed, but not what I'd call quick. New sand is being added to some of the greenside bunkers, which is needed. The rough around the greens is very difficult to play from, as it is just knarly with ball always settling to the bottom between clumps of grass. No chance to put any spin on these shots.

Out on Saturday for a leisurely 4 1/2 hour round. Overseed of fairways has grown in nicely although there are certain "Indian burial ground" areas that just refuse to grow anything. I think it's a d... Continue »

Out on Saturday for a leisurely 4 1/2 hour round. Overseed of fairways has grown in nicely although there are certain "Indian burial ground" areas that just refuse to grow anything. I think it's a drainage problem more than anything and until the course recontours the fairways and drains, it will continue to be an issue. Fairways are a bit moist so a continuation of mud balls until they dry out somewhat. Greens starting to firm up and a nice consistent 11 speed and you have to play more bump and run chip shots rather than a straight flops landing within 5 ft of hole. Pin setter is finding more new pin positions lately that is a welcome change. Rough is dormant, knarly bermuda and not a place you want to visit. Sand traps remain the biggest issue with gravel poking thru in some spots while it could be quicksand a few feet away. Overseeded tee boxes are in good condition but tee markers don't get moved very much. About five holes are CPO for members but for Monday outside tournament play there are no such restrictions.